The North Carolina SweetPotato Commission, based in Smithfield, NC, is combating the U.S. trend to eat sweet potatoes only on Thanksgiving and other holidays through a promotional campaign targeting numerous markets. The commission is an independent, member-based nonprofit commodity group. Its membership, now over 400 strong, is comprised of growers who farm a minimum of one acre of sweet potatoes in the state. "We produce more sweet potatoes than any other state -- nearly 40 percent of the annual [domestic] supply," said Sue Johnson-Langdon, executive director the commission. "The annual

Stemilt Growers, based in Wenatchee, WA, rolled out a health-conscious program earlier this fall with a red-apple mascot at the helm touting the antioxidant richness in apples. Roger Pepperl, Stemilt marketing director, said that 5 A Day's character, Raoul, whose winning smile and bright-red color appeals to both kids and adults, is the cheerleader for Stemilt apples Core of Healthy Living campaign. Stemilt selected the character to be the icon for its fall program from a cast of five Color Way Champions created by 5 A Day and the Produce for Better Health Foundation. PBH introduced the

More space, more coolers, faster loading and secure grounds are just some of the reasons organic grower-shipper Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo has a new address in Vernon, CA. The company relocated its Los Angeles warehouse, packing and distribution operation Sept. 1, taking over more than half of a facility which formerly served as a Whole Foods distribution center. "The move to this well-outfitted, more modern facility will definitely increase our efficiency overall and allow us to better serve our customers," said Rob Jacobs, vice president of sales and marketing. Among the many advantages of the

Advertising agency SenaReider, with offices in San Francisco and Monterey, CA, announced that it has developed a national consumer TV campaign for the Florida Tomato Committee touting the health benefits of Florida tomatoes. The work is the first TV branding ever done for tomatoes, and Florida grows more of them than any other state, according to the agency. Lou Sena, agency account director, said, "The spots may emphasize how good these tomatoes are for you. But we have some fun with the idea, delivering the health message in a way that busts through the noise on TV. Who says you can't be

Rev. Willis T. Goodwin, a member of the South Carolina World Trade Center, and David M. Webster, a member of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, recently worked together to help Hurricane Katrina victims reduce flyborne illnesses. Rev. Goodwin, in cooperation with the Twin City Out Reach Mission, purchased a large number of non-toxic fly traps from Mr. Webster of AgraCo Technologies. Rev. Goodwin made the purchase to help reduce the fly epidemic caused by the flooding and waste caused by Hurricane Katrina. According to Rev. Goodwin, "The people in the hurricane devastated areas

Within days of learning the Mexican Ministry of Economy had reinstituted a 45 percent antidumping duty on certain apples from the Northwest, U.S. growers were informed that a live codling moth larvae was detected in a shipment of Washington apples shipped to Taiwan in early October. The Mexican antidumping duty, which had been imposed on Red Delicious and Golden Delicious apples in 2002 and suspended in May, was reintroduced Sept. 29 by publication in that country's federal register. And the codling moth announcement came soon after, according to a report filed by the Northwest Horticultural